The second part of the Group One double-header on day three of the Cambridgeshire Meeting is the Middle Park Stakes.
This historic contest is open to only two-year-old colts and run over a trip of six furlongs. It also provides punters with plenty of pointers towards races like the 2000 Guineas and the Commonwealth Cup the following season.
British Stallion Studs EBF 'Jersey Lily' Fillies' Nursery
Handicap 7f
4:40pm
Home Of Racing Handicap 7f
2023 Middle Park Stakes Odds
No odds are available for the Middle Park Stakes yet.
2023 Middle Park Stakes Tips
Once the final field has been revealed, our tips for the Middle Park Stakes will be live on the website.
2022 Middle Park Stakes Tips
Position
Name
SP
1st
Blackbeard
10/3
2nd
The Antarctic
12/1
3rd
Persian Force
6/1
Middle Park Stakes Key Facts
Date
Saturday 30th September, 2023
Track
Newmarket
Status
Group One
Distance
6f
Sex
Colt
First Prize
£124k
Age
2YO
Middle Park Stakes History
The Middle Park Stakes was first held at Newmarket in 1866. Staged on the Rowley Mile over a six furlong trip, this Group One remains one of the most important races on the calendar.
Horses who run in the Middle Park Stakes have often gone on to target the 2000 Guineas the following season. Prince Charlie was the first to achieve that famous double, winning the Middle Park in 1871, before returning to Newmarket to win the Guineas the following season.
Today, the Middle Park Stakes is open only to colts. The fillies have their own equivalent, the Cheveley Park Stakes.
During the majority of its history, however, fillies were free to enter the Middle Park Stakes, and great fillies like Busybody and Sun Chariot have won this historic feat.
In 1903, Pretty Polly achieved an outstanding feat, winning the Cheveley Park Stakes and the Middle Park Stakes in the same season. Peter Gilpin's filly would go on to complete the Triple Crown in 1904, and remains one of the finest horses ever to grace the sport.
Donovon and Orme won the Middle Park before the turn of the 20th century. They would be followed into the winner's enclosure by other greats like Bayardo, Djebel and Dante.
Gordon Richards rode Abernant to victory in 1948, the fifth of his six victories. Two jockeys have gone on to match Gordon Richard's total, Danny Maher and Lester Piggott.
Bold Lad and Brigadier Gerard claimed the Middle Park during the 1960s. In 1991, Rodrigo de Triano became the last horses to complete the Middle Park and 2000 Guineas double, winning both races under Willie Carson.
Oasis Dream, Dutch Art, Dark Angel and Dream Ahead have all won the Middle Park Stakes in the last couple of decades, and gone on to enjoy impressive careers as stallions.
The most successful trainer in the history of the Middle Park Stakes is Aidan O'Brien. O'Brien has saddled the winner on six occasions, most recently in 2018, when Ten Sovereigns powered to victory.
2019 saw Andre Fabre win the Middle Park for the second time, as Earthlight held off Golden Horse to claim victory on the Rowley Mile.
Supremacy made all in excellent fashion to win the 2020 Middle Park Stakes, staying strong to debut Lucky Vega and Minzaal. Richard Fahey then saddled his first Middle Park winner in 2021, as Perfect Power followed his Prix Morny triumph with victory on the Rowley Mile.
